From February 1826 onwards Beethoven endeavoured to gain permission to dedicate the Ninth Symphony op. 125 to King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia. Prince Hatzfeld was the royal Prussian envoy to Vienna and in 1823 had already negotiated a subscription copy of the Missa solemnis op. 123 for the Prussian King. Beethoven turned to him once again in the matter of the Ninth. Hatzfeld was successful - Beethoven was allowed to dedicate the symphony to Friedrich Wilhelm III.
